Pathway Background and Objectives

Constipation is a common pediatric diagnosis with wide variation in evaluation and treatment in the acute care setting. This pathway seeks to standardize the diagnosis, evaluation, treatment, and disposition of patients diagnosed with constipation. This pathway utilizes the Rome IV Criteria as the bedrock for clinical diagnosis. Imaging is reserved for those patients with an unclear diagnosis. Specific objectives of this pathway are to: 

  • Standardize the diagnosis and evaluation of constipation in the acute care setting
  • Outline the evidenced-based treatment of constipation in the acute care setting

 

Algorithm   Educational Module

 

 For management of this condition in primary care, see CLASP/Co-Management guideline.

  • Percentage of patients with pathway order set
  • Percentage of patients with an abdominal x-ray
  • Percentage of patients with a pelvic ultrasound
  • Percentage of patients with Gastroenterology consult (ED/inpatient)
  • Percentage of patients with Pediatric Surgery consult (ED/inpatient)
  • Percentage of patients receiving mineral oil enema
  • Percentage of patients with intraoperative bowel disimpaction
  • Percentage of patients requiring hospital admission
  • Average LOS (ED/inpatient)
  • Returns to ED with constipation within 6 months
  • Readmissions with constipation within 6 months

The clinical pathways in the above links have been developed specifically for use at Connecticut Children’s and are made available publicly for informational and/or educational purposes only. The clinical pathways are not intended to be, nor are they, a substitute for individualized professional medical judgment, advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Although Connecticut Children’s makes all efforts to ensure the accuracy of the posted content, Connecticut Children’s makes no warranty of any kind as to the accuracy or completeness of the information or its fitness for use at any particular facility or in any individual case.